Gower: We need to repay our fans

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Dyldam Parramatta Eels second-rower David Gower says the Blue and Gold will be looking to repay their Members and fans with a strong performance against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 15.

Having been run down by the Rabbitohs and defeated 22-20 just four weeks ago, Gower says the side will look to build on two solid weeks of defence as they look to roll South Sydney on Friday night.

“I’ve said it before, and I think we’ve got the best fans in the country and across any code,” Gower said.

“And we’re very grateful for that. In those tight games it is an old cliche, but the fans really do get you home; they give you that little boost of energy and they do get you across the line when you need it.”

“I thought we had the game in control [last time we faced the Rabbitohs], and the last sort of ten minutes I think they put two or three tries on us, which isn’t good enough by our standards.”

“It was a big week for the club and we wanted to reward all the fans that come out and cheer so vocally for us, and unfortunately we didn’t that night. We’re looking to go out there this weekend and make up for that result and really build on the last couple of weeks, especially in defence.”

“We need to go out there and compete every game for 80 minutes, and if we do that we’re confident we can get the victory.”

With halfback Kieran Foran set to miss the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, and Brad Takairangi sidelined with a hamstring injury, second-rower Kenny Edwards stepped in to partner Corey Norman in the halves, and Gower said “Dean Widders,” as the players have nicknamed him, wouldn’t let the side down if named again for Round 15.

“Kenny’s a skilful ball player, so we sort of knew the role that he could play for us and the job that he could do,” Gower said.

“Corey [Norman], he’s fantastic as a 7-6 leader for us, and Kenny just had to sort of do as he was told. Corey’s very vocal on the field and he controlled the game, and Kenny had a great try assist and did some great things for us, and the’s going to be better for that week.”

“If he gets the job again his week I’m sure he’ll be better again.”

And with the Blue and Gold stationed in Darwin for the past week ahead of their Round 14 win over the Titans, Gower admitted that he’d given roommate Bevan French a few words of wisdom after the young winger scored his second try in just his second NRL game at TIO Stadium.

“I just had to let him know that scoring tries ain’t that easy, Bev,” Gower laughed.

“You’re two from two, I’m one from 70, so it’s not that easy kid! Take them when they come.”

The Eels kick off against the Rabbitohs at 7.50pm on Friday, June 17 at ANZ Stadium.